News Detail

Track and Field's Will DeSpong to Run at Navy

4/22/2025

Brophy senior Will DeSpong has committed to attend the United States Naval Academy and will participate on the track and field team.

“It is exciting to run track and go to a good school,” said DeSpong. “It is cooler to be part of something bigger than that. You get to represent your country, your team, and your school. Having a more significant aspect of what you are fighting for encourages you to go through the hard stuff. Learning how to balance the military aspect and school will be a challenge, but it will be fruitful.”

DeSpong ranks sixth all-time in the 110m hurdles (14.15) and eighth (38.79) entering the stretch run of his senior campaign. He has won three individual races this season, including the Devon Allen Champion High Hurdles Award. He was also second in the 300m hurdles at the event.

“Will is the most valuable athlete on our 2025 senior track and field team,” said Head Coach Bill Kalkman. “He is projected to score the most team points for Brophy in all levels of competition - he is the top returning high hurdler in Arizona, his intermediate hurdle race and 200/400 times are outstanding, and he has the speed to assist our sprint relays to top place finishes.”

He had a season-best in the 110m hurdles on April 12 at the Arcadia Invitational, clocking 14.31 in the elite race Saturday night and partnering with Nero Nuez, Darius Alberty, and Max Columbus to win the Shuttle Hurdle Relay in the third-fastest time in meet history.

“His leadership skills have already been exemplified as he was our only junior team captain last season,” said Kalkman. “His dedication to track, his work ethic in practices, and his positive character are all valuable assets for his own development and valuable representation of Brophy and our track and field team.”

DeSpong played football during his freshman and sophomore seasons, but injury pushed him to track, where he found his new sport.

“Originally, track was a way to train for football and did not mean more to me than that,” recalled DeSpong. “I had some success freshman year and wanted the opportunity to do both. After being hurt multiple times in football, I decided to go with track. I always wanted to do sports in college and thought it would be my best avenue.”

When Navy reached out to him last summer, the possibility of running in college became a reality. DeSpong secured nominations from Congressman Schweikert and Senator Kelly and participated in the application process to earn the valuable acceptance.

“It means to me to see the hard work pay off in sports and athletics,” said DeSpong. “Even though football didn’t work out for me, it is nice to know my choice ended up paying off. Now that I put my time in track, I have developed a love for it, and I get to pursue it at a higher level, where it has opened doors for me.”

DeSpong has been a Big Brother, a member of the National Honor Society, and led a Kairos during his time on campus. He is looking forward to the postseason to make his final mark with the program.

He will participate in the Brophy Signing Day event on Wednesday, April 23.